Improvement in ditching-machines



dnitetl 5ta-tre idd-iwf @iiiiiiw' RALPH ROBERT OSGOOD, OE TROY, NEW YORK.

Letters Parent N 107,520, ma september 20,1870.5

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of the same To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, RALPH ROBERT OsGooD, of Troy, in the county of Rensselaer and State of N ew York, have invented a new and improved Ditching- Machine; and I do hereby declare that the follow'- ingis a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to make and use the same, reference being had to the aecompanying drawing forming part of this specification.

Figure 1 represents a side elev. tion, partly in section, of my inproved ditching-machine.

Figure 2 is a plan or top view of the same.

Figure 3 is a vertical transverse section of the ditching-wheel.

Stii'nilar letters of reference indicate corresponding par s. 1

This invention relates t'o a new ditching-machine, which is provided with a rotary wheel that carries buckets at h oth sides, by means .of which the digging lis done. The buckets are hung to the sides ofthe wheel in such manner that their outer working ends will be in line with -the edge of the wheel, so that they obtain the full power ofthe wheel.

Heretofore, detehing-machiues were most-ly constructed of endless belts with buckets set to their faces. It is evident that thereby the leverage obtained wasonly that of the lower pulleys, while with my invention that of the entire driving-gear is utilized.

wheel, the chain being provided with projecting teeth,

for digging between the buckets.

A in the drawing represents the main supportingframe of my improved.ditching-machine. This frame is made of wood or other material, of rectangular or other suitable form. It rests on wheels B B, on which fromthe shaft C, and will, therefore, serve to gradit may readily be moved over the ground.

In the frame A ishnng a transverse shaft, C, which carries a pulley', c, for operating the driving-chain.

The shaft G serves also as a pivot for the frame D, in the free end of which the large digging-wh`eel E is hung.

The edge of the wheel E is grooved to receive av chain, F, which transmits motion rfrom the shaft G.

The chain F is provided with projecting teeth or pins, b b, which reach into the ground and dig in the same, so as not to leave a projecting ridge under the edge of the wheel.

To the conical faces of the wheels are pivoted buckets G G, which, with their scraping edges o, are in line with the periphery of the wheel.

Each bucket is, by a spring, d, held with its open end'radial to the center ofthe wheel. I

The spring d is secured. to a pin, e, that projects from the inner face of the bucket, througha curved slot in the face of the wheel. l

When this pin e strikes a fixed cam, f,that projects frorn the frame I), the bucket will be swung to discharge its contents into a spent, H.

There are two spouts secured to the frame D, one on each side of the wheel, to take the earth from the buckets on both sides and discharge it to the ground on the sides of the ditch.

The spout H is hinged at its lower end to the frame D, and has a downward-projecting ear, g, which rests on a cam, h, that is mounted on the shaft I of the wheel E.

Whenever the spout has received the contents of a bucket, it is by the cam swung upto discharge its load, and falls then back, to be ready for the load of another bucket. Y c

Each bucket is, after it has discharged its lo-.td into the spout, drawn into digging position again by its spring d.

In front of each bucket is or may be secured a colter, J, which will out the grass or ground, to reduce thevv strain on the bucket. v

The frame D can be swung up or down to produce a ditch of suitable depth.

Its position is regulated by means of screwholts i and nuts, that'lockit to braces j, projecting from the frame A.

The shaft C may receive rotary motion from suitable muscular or other power.

The whole vehicle may, by a long rope or chain,

be anchored to the ground, the said rope or chain beling secured to a transverse shaft, L, which is hung iuV the frame A.

The shaft L receives intermittent rotary motion by means of rods t m, pawl 11, and ratchet-wheel o,

ually wind up the rope or chain, and to move the vehicle slowly in the direction of the arrow shown in fig. 1. The apparatus is thus moved ahead slow enough to enable the buckets to make the required y ditch.

'Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Pateut l. The digging-wheel E, provided with buckets,

5. The chin F, arranged around me ditchingwheel E, nnd provided with projecting teeth b, substantially as and' for thc purposes herein shown and described.

RALPH ROBERT OSGOOD.

Witnesses GEO. W. MABEE, ALEX. F. ROBERTS. 

